{ "submission_id": "1327768", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "7681", "keyword_name": "desert fox", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "188" }, { "keyword_id": "21", "keyword_name": "dragon", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "149957" }, { "keyword_id": "1497", "keyword_name": "drake", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "2475" }, { "keyword_id": "3330", "keyword_name": "fanfiction", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "3016" }, { "keyword_id": "2193", "keyword_name": "fantasy", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "27040" }, { "keyword_id": "123", "keyword_name": "female", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1094462" }, { "keyword_id": "584", "keyword_name": "fennec", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "18174" }, { "keyword_id": "3184", "keyword_name": "fennec fox", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "10478" }, { "keyword_id": "33", "keyword_name": "fox", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "249286" }, { "keyword_id": "11888", "keyword_name": "historical", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "423" }, { "keyword_id": "50", "keyword_name": "kitsune", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "18276" }, { "keyword_id": "30312", "keyword_name": "komodo dragon", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "886" }, { "keyword_id": "1954", "keyword_name": "leo", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "2830" }, { "keyword_id": "174", "keyword_name": "lion", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "43434" }, { "keyword_id": "191", "keyword_name": "magic", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "25539" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1202316" }, { "keyword_id": "4891", "keyword_name": "mammal", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "59118" }, { "keyword_id": "1003", "keyword_name": "m/f", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "41737" }, { "keyword_id": "1637", "keyword_name": "reptile", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "28518" }, { "keyword_id": "3450", "keyword_name": "spoof", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "150" }, { "keyword_id": "120", "keyword_name": "straight", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "41853" }, { "keyword_id": "31865", "keyword_name": "tail mouth", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "219" }, { "keyword_id": "1308", "keyword_name": "vixen", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "28707" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "0", "create_datetime": "2017-04-03 02:21:16.935459+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "03 Apr 2017 04:21 CEST", "last_file_update_datetime": "2017-04-03 02:05:27.201238+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "03 Apr 2017 04:05 CEST", "username": "SanguineAltar", "user_id": "318469", "user_icon_file_name": "106225_SanguineAltar_tmp_589-psx_20160524_201722-175200640.jpg", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/106/106225_SanguineAltar_tmp_589-psx_20160524_201722-175200640.jpg", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/106/106225_SanguineAltar_tmp_589-psx_20160524_201722-175200640.jpg", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/106/106225_SanguineAltar_tmp_589-psx_20160524_201722-175200640.jpg", "file_name": "1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/1864/1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/1864/1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1864/1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "files": [ { "file_id": "1864453", "file_name": "1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/1864/1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/1864/1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1864/1864453_SanguineAltar_fate_spoof_2.txt", "mimetype": "text/plain", "submission_id": "1327768", "user_id": "318469", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "34bbd15b97f1412a4b91ebdf54836114", "full_file_md5": "34bbd15b97f1412a4b91ebdf54836114", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2017-04-03 02:05:27.201238+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "03 Apr 2017 04:05 CEST" } ], "pools": [ { "pool_id": "43110", "name": "Media Doubtfire ", "description": "Following the adventures of a certain cute vixen", "count": "6", "submission_left_submission_id": "1292789", "submission_left_file_name": "1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/1812/1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1812/1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1812/1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "275", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "241", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "175", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "105", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/1812/1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large_noncustom": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/1812/1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313_noncustom.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/1812/1812243_SanguineAltar_tmp_11098-pfptxkzh1542983313_noncustom.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_medium_noncustom_x": "118", "submission_left_thumb_medium_noncustom_y": "120", "submission_left_thumb_large_noncustom_x": "197", "submission_left_thumb_large_noncustom_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_huge_noncustom_x": "296", "submission_left_thumb_huge_noncustom_y": "300", "submission_right_submission_id": "1352117", "submission_right_file_name": null } ], "description": "So I'm a big time fan of Type-Moon. I wrote this a long time ago back when UBW was still a thing. I stumbled upon it going through my old files and decided it was good enough to upload. Hope you enjoyed!\n\nThe Fate Franchise is owned by Type-Moon and all subsequent, affiliated and related companies. While I own the characters I do not own the titles, positions or the main plot point of this story and I wrote this for fun, not for profit or personal gain. Just an excuse to use creative license.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "So I'm a big time fan of Type-Moon. I wrote this a long time ago back when UBW was still a thing. I stumbled upon it going through my old files and decided it was good enough to upload. Hope you enjoyed!

The Fate Franchise is owned by Type-Moon and all subsequent, affiliated and related companies. While I own the characters I do not own the titles, positions or the main plot point of this story and I wrote this for fun, not for profit or personal gain. Just an excuse to use creative license.", "writing": "Media sat on the edge of the bed as she straightened her shirt. Saber was already dressed and he had a bit of a bounce to his step as he did the same from across the room. She went to pull on some pants when she sighed though she was far from embarrassed, \"Were it not for the fact that you were a knight I'd think you'd have had some ulterior motive to wanting to sleep with me.\"\n\"Fortunately for you I am a knight and my intentions were honest. It was the best and fastest way to restore my own stores of mana.\" Saber replied inspecting himself in the full body mirror standing against the wall beside the bathroom. \"I rather like the attire of this time period\" he turned and examined his form from that view before turning again and looking over his shoulder. \"Its lighter and easier to move in than the clothing of my time and it is certainly better than bulky armor.\"\n\"Don't change the topic\" she scoffed as she watched him. He looked at her, his red eyes going over her form as she got to her feet and opened a dresser drawer to dig out some socks. They were... She... was a little late in waking up today; her night with Saber, while enjoyable, exhausted her more than she expected and put them behind by couple or hours. She was only just getting into the swing of being a Master. Her enemies weren't just lazing about. \"How do you feel?\"\n\"Much better. I'm not at full strength yet but I am far better now than I have been for the duration of this contest thus far. I have a feeling I can act as a proper servant for you now, my Master.\" She nodded as she fit her three tails into her jeans and then slipped on a beige cashmere sweater over her top. She then went into the bathroom to make up her dark brown hair. \"So, we still plan to meet with Archer and his master today?\"\n\"Yes, I do.\" She knew he was going to try and talk her out of it but her mind was made up. The Market Day Fair was going to be crowded, nobody in their right mind would commence an attack there, not in front of so many people, not if they wished to obey the laws of the church and of the Holy Grail War. From a defensive standpoint it was a bad idea, they could very well be walking into a trap; going right where their enemy wanted them where they could do any number of things to her and her servant. When he voiced such objections she quickly rebutted with \"and what if they show up?\"\nThat silenced him quickly and he fell into a brooding quiet as he pondered his own thoughts. If they did show up then it would look bad for her and her servant. She needed allies and if one of the other master wanted to sit down and work out some sort of agreement with her then she wanted to take the opportunity. She explained that to him, this time it was his turn to jab at her; \"what if you're wrong?\"\nShe hesitated but answered firmly \"then I made a mistake and I'll accept the consequences [i]whatever[/i] they may be.\" \nHe grimaced at the implications her words had. She was a gambler, there was every possibility Archer's master wanted her dead and was using this as a ploy to draw her out but neither of them would ever know if they didn't try. And if she was wrong they'd both wind up dead, that was the cost of being wrong. No retries. No do-overs. Everything from here on out was for keeps. Saber didn't like it at all but if his master was willing to take the risk he'd support her. \"I hope you're right.\"\n\"So do I.\"\n\n\nThe Fair plaza was packed. The sound of music filled the streets as did the scent of fried foods and the chatter of people. Kits, pups and cubs ran to and fro as their parents tried to keep up while trying to maintain the conversation with the person next to them. Older teen girls squealed and giggled as they browsed the outfits on display or scooped up a moderately sized stuffed animal and hugged it tight as their male counterparts frowned, laughed or argued. Media smiled an inward smile as she passed such things, she wasn't so old as to miss these sorts things but she didn't have time for it either. Not now.\nActually she was rather nervous. She wasn't the sort to take things slow when she was running late. In her haste she had actually arrived a little early. The letter instructed her to wait around the fountain at the heart of the plaza and the predetermined time came and went with no Archer to be found. After that the time just ticked by as she was slowly filled with dread. She was beginning to think Saber was right after all and Archer was some distance away trying to find a good way to eliminate her. She looked around warily hoping she just might catch a glimpse of him approaching.\nSaber was hanging out around one of the fried food stands toward the perimeter of the plaza. With his mane slicked back the lion looked like a totally different person. He wore a pair of of faded blue jeans and a dark blazer with wool lining. He leaned against a far wall also scanning the crowd for Archer and his master.\nMedia wore a similar pair of blue jeans and the sweater but the hours faded by and she hated the wait. She was obviously nervous now, she got up and paced the little court around the fountain a few times as she waited. Noon arrived and went out the door in due time with still no sign of another servant. She wound up being there for about six hours and it was wearing on her as others started to note her nervous behavior;\nMa'am, are you okay? Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern.\nMa'am is something wrong? No, just waiting on someone.\nIs there anything I can do for you, miss? No, I'm just waiting and the other guy is late.\nShe smiled, she was courteous, she gave every respect but she put up with it while she had to. It was close to four in the evening when she decided enough was enough. She rounded the fountain one last time and noted that Saber wasn't where she left him. Dread filled her, she checked on him constantly as she paced around the fountain, she'd only just saw him less than a minute ago. Oh no.\n\"Master of Saber.\"\nThe voice came from behind her and she snapped around; it was Archer. The Komodo Dragon was also dressed for the chill in the air wearing jeans and a sweater looking a but more casual than she and Saber. \"Archer.\"\n\"Well, you called this meeting. Forgive mine and my masters tardiness\" he said with a bow. \"We feared a trap and it seems to have put your nerves on end.\"\n\"Where is your master?\" \n\"We decided this place was too exposed; my master has selected a cafe nearby as a better meeting place.\"\n\"Wait, hold on. You said [i]I[/i] called this meeting?\" Media asked, more than a little surprised. As far she knew the letter was addressed to her [i]from Archers[/i] master. A third party was involved and that made her especially uneasy. And where was her own servant?\n\"Didn't you?\" The implications were starting to dawn on Archer as he raising his chin a little in questioning. \n\"No, the letter I received was addressed to me [i]from [b]your[/b][/i] master.\" Her expression said the rest and he looked to his side before turning sharply. Saber was standing there behind him.\nArcher merely brushed him off, giving him an acknowledging nod and nothing else before returning his gaze to Media. He was obviously put off, somebody had set them up and none of them knew who or why. \"Something is wrong here, my master urges you to either come with me to where she is or go your own way. We've come this far, may as well not waste the opportunity.\"\n\"Wait, if not you then who summoned us here?\" Saber interjected. \"What was the point of all of this?\"\n\"We wanted to see how you would react to one another\" said a newcomer making the three of them look in his direction. This one was a pure blooded dragon; tall with a short snout and two lengthy horns sprouting from the back of his head. He had no wings but well manicured claws and a solid, well built frame. He wore more formal attire; black dress pants with a black blazer and a white button-up shirt beneath. \n\"You?\" Snapped Archer.\n\"And who are [i]you[/i]?\" The question came from Saber as fast as each of their glances. \n\"I am Sanguine Altar and I have been summoned into this race under the Assassin classification.\" He said with his own bow. \"I am the one who called this meeting in the hopes that the confusion would ultimately end in either of you eliminating each other... to save us the trouble in the long run, as it were.\" \n\n\nThe nearby mall proved to be an excellent vantage point. Caster was on the roof looking down on the fountain from behind the guard rail. The mall had a floor plan on the roof as well to match the interior and the stalls were twice as crowded. Sunset was in the onset and more people were actually showing up rather than going home for the evening. The Fair management had promised a firework show and people were hoping to get a good seat. That made him fit in perfectly as he looked out over the city. \nSaber, Archer and Assassin along with each of their masters all in the same area and within the Maw's effect radius. This could be both a blessing and a curse, once his Noble Phantasm was activated it would drain all of the mortals within its effect radius almost immediately and make them all either pass out or die. But with mages present it added an obsticle, they had mana to waste and so it would take longer to drain them. On top of that they could halt the drain his Noble Phantasm had to begin with and they may very well hone in on his location. Caster wasn't nervous but it certainly wasn't ideal, as it stood he was in no position to face other heroic spirits in combat. In his own opinion he wasn't strong enough yet. Certainly he could hold his own against one of the other servants but he'd rather have the overwhelming force the Caster class was known for. It complicated things; he didn't like the idea of a confrontation with the other servants just yet but at the same time it wasn't his call to make. It was the best opportunity to eliminate them... [i]Master, it seems our competitors have also chosen to attend the Fair.[/i]\n[i]I'm aware, maintain your position. I will work in concert with Berserker and his master to protect you once the scenario begins. Proceed as planned; I give you permission to activate your Noble Phantasm after the fireworks begin. Wait for the first salvo to go off and then begin but do not act until then. We don't want them to be aware of what is happening until its too late.[/i]\n[i]As you wish, my master.[/i] Caster sighed and leaned against the guard rail. Confrontation it is. One of the rules of the Holy Grail War was to not involve outsiders, Leave innocent people to their own devices. By the same token the Caster class was dependent upon mana to have any chance against his fellow servants. The easiest way to secure mana was to drain said outsiders of their lifeforce to supply that mana in the event a masters reserves were insufficient. Its not that his masters reserves of mana were insufficient, its that his Noble Phantasm required extreme amounts of mana to activate. Rather than use his masters or his own stores of mana he would rely on the mortals attending the Fair to activate it. That was the power of the Maw, especially when deployed against another servant; he would draw all of the mana or lifeforce he could out of a specific area and direct all of it at his targets. It was most effective on Lancer and Rider, there was no reason it shouldn't be enough to crush these three. But there was also no reason to take any unnecessary chances. \nDarkness descended soon enough and the number of people just multiplied. In the meantime his Vorpal Shadows had been moving into place; servants he had dedicated his own mana to. A paltry dozen in number they ducked and weaved through streets and alleys being able to adopt either the form of a shadow or a more material form that allowed them to be used in combat they were very good scouts and defenders. They scattered in all directions until they reached the end of their leash, his stream of mana that fueled them. Almost a full mile in diameter. That was more than satisfactory. Within that radius there were thousands of people. The benefit of modern society was that it consolidated a broad number of people into a much smaller area than what would have been possible back in his time. If he'd pulled this off his own victory would be assured.\nThe stage was set... and the first salvo of hummers flew into the air.\n\n\"The purpose of this was to narrow down the list of competitors, yes, but that was before Caster killed Lancer, Rider and their masters.\" Sanguine answered in as diplomatic tone as he could muster. He sat in the booth across from Media, Ariante and their servants. While Saber looked as relaxed as Sanguine Archer kept fidgeting and glaring and asking questions out of suspicion. He might grow quiet for a moment or two but he'd always ask another. It was clear he didn't trust Sanguine and Ariante let him go on. Nodding or shrugging when a question was directed her way.\nIt had never crossed Media's mind that Ari might have been a master. Her accident at work had been a well performed ruse to hide her command seals from the kitsune. The cogs in her head had been grinding ever since she stepped into the cafe; Ariante had been a tried and true mage since childhood while Media had been brought into it by her former mate and even then when she learned what she might very well be capable of doing she only applied herself to the art of healing. Thats what made her so reputable at work. Ariante had learned less scrupulous arts, arts she had offered to train Media in. Saber made it abundantly clear that only one master and servant would be able to claim the grail, at some point of another she would have to eliminate her best friend and she was having a hard time coming to grips with that fact. It came with grim acceptance though... and she hated that.\n\"But that was all before Caster killed the both of them. In the end this outcome was for the best; it gives us opportunity to coordinate and deal with the issue that is Caster.\"\n\"What makes you think we want to coordinate? Least of all with you?\" Media asked before any of the others could. \n\"Because you came here. What else were you hoping to obtain by coming to this meeting? Each of us needs an ally and the only parties not present are the most dangerous.\" Clear cut and well defined the facts were on the table and nobody objected. That was exactly why they were here; there was strength in numbers and they each needed to supplement their class with the aid of another. Saber, Archer and Assassin working together? That was a potent combination, especially with all three of them aimed at Caster or Berserker.\nAriante looked from Sanguine to Media, to Saber and then Archer \"I still don't see how we can coordinate, Assassin; your master isn't present.\" \nIt was then that a woman, and I use the term 'woman' loosely, stepped into the cafe. She was an interesting mix; drakine features, hornless, wingless, white fur, violet eyes, drakine ears and a single line of ridges starting at the base of her skull and ending at the very tip of her narrow tail. Sanguine was the first to address her simply referring to her as \"master\" while she deferred to him as Assassin. She spoke in barely more than a squeak, hesitant to look at any of the other masters or their servants. It appeared Sanguine was the spine of the pair and he offered his seat to the girl. She was younger than either Media or Ariante, barely out of her teens if she could even boast that much. She was dressed in just as much finery as the others, equally appropriate for the cold weather.\nBoth of the aformentioned females looked at the dragoness with critical eyes taking in what they could of the Master of Assassin. She gave her name when Ariante asked for it. Vessa. She was nervous and out of her element. Saber seemed to chuckle and when Media prodded him he simply shrugged and said she was well suited to the assassin class, shy and avoidant the assassin class tried to avoid direct conflict and stick to the shadows and use methods such as ambush, deception and trickery to overwhelm their opponents. In light of those facts Media had to agree, she was well suited. She was shy, sitting in the seat across from them rubbing her arm nervously and finally meeting Media's curious stare for the moment before it fell to the table. \nThe pieces were starting to fall in place; two masters and their servants had been eliminated. All but one servant was known of now and three of them were sitting at the same table. Against Caster and Berserker they had the advantage of numbers while it lasted and now that she was able to speak with her competitors she could glean what she could of their personalities and abilities and come up with a strategy to defeat them later on down the road. It [i]would[/i] come to that eventually. She couldn't afford to delude herself to that fact. \nSanguine didn't let things go off topic and immediately brought the conversation back to the matter of the last two masters and servants; Caster and Berserker. While they knew something of the nature of Caster they had no idea who his master was and neither did the pairs see or hear anything from Berserker and their master. That they would address when it became an issue. While they discussed different strategies. While not an effective combat mage she was competant enough to keep the other mages in the room from progging her mind and gleaning the same information. The fact of the matter is that while this meeting was being held to ally against the issue that was Caster, and potentially Berserker, once they were dealt with they were right back to being enemies. Media only had a relative idea of what Ariante was capable of, the same could be said of her in regards to Media and Media still didn't know much about Archer except for the fact that he was an Archer class servant. They'd never fought before so what he was capable of was still a mystery.\nAnd then there was Assassin. This Sanguine Altar. Archer seemed to know him, it was possible that they had met in life and so they would have at least a little knowledge of each others abilities. While they may have known each other neither of them seemed to possess any knowledge of Saber at all. Media took some comfort in the fact that in light of that fact she held the wildcard in the form of Saber. \n\n\nSaber, Kado Percival, the Child of Light, weilder of the enchanted sword [i]Aktion[/i] was born into the Essimian aristocracy, the youngest of three brothers he could have lived a life of comfort and relative luxury. Instead he decided to take up the sword. Adopt the rules of chivalry and become a knight. His father, the proud and arrogant Lucius Percival, tried to steer him away from that path writing it off as beneath him and something that should left to the common masses. Clan Percival had aptitude and had a lot of influence and power as a result before the Keshen Inquisition. Kado, however, rejected his fathers urgings and as a result was disowned. Bereft of his title and all the luxuries that accompanied it he was reduced to a simple squire and his life became a struggle. \nHe lived that way for a number of years before appearing at the side, in the service of, the lord of Kongren. Earning this lords respect and trust he was given land and privelige that rivaled what he had when he still lived within his fathers holdings. It was while in the service to this lord that he became famed for the use of a great sword, [i]Aktion[/i], and two short swords. He was also a confident electromancer which is where the name Child of Light originated. He was charged with upholding the ruling nobles' law and protecting the land he had been given, a duty he held and upheld absolutely. He was notoriously altruistic to a fault even to the point where he suffered personaly from it. Still he remained in the lords good graces for a number of years, he was popular among the people and up until that point he didn't have a single point against him. A life pledged to the edge of a sword and in spite of being disowned by clan Percival the name of Kado Percival was widely known and respected.\nIt was at this time however that the Keshen empire was making its way around the block. Magickers were being labeled witches and practitioners were being captured, tortured and killed by the thousands on the word of this ruthless new order. They wished to tame the beast that was magic, command it and utilize it in unspeakable ways. The world envisioned by this new empire was cold and hard but they were on the rise and it didn't look like it was coming to an end any time soon. And to top it off once he had such influence in the court of the lord of Kongren he was introduced to this lords daughter. The two took well to each other, they became involved with each other, but when asked the lord denied his request to marry though he wasn't aware of the extent to how well they knew each other. His decision was based on the politics of the time and with this knew regime so struck out against magickers Kado simply wasn't a good match for his daughter. \nThe details are convoluted and obsure but after a couple years the daughter came down pregnant. Pregnant, unmarried and daughter to a high lord of the Essimian aristocracy, this had never happened within that family line before. It put her at odds with her father and made the predicament awkward. Bastard children weren't uncommon among the nobility but not in this family. With the politics of the era and the family pride on the line the circumstances weren't in the couples favor. After the lord discovered his daughters pregnancy he was outraged and demanded she tell him who the father was. This she refused to do and so he put out a bounty for the head of whoever had put him and his daughter in this situation. Frightened and fearing for the father of her child she fled to Kado and desperately wanted to leave so that he and their baby would be safe. Saber had told Media in the library \"she shouldn't have done that. By denying him she provoked my lords wrath, had she just told him in the first place it might not have ended up so badly.\" Saber, Kado Percival, had enough influence within the lords court to plead for amnesty, steps could have been taken, arrangements could have been made to request the child be taken care of. Instead he was now a wanted man and while trying to make hurried plans of fleeing the province they were discovered. He was captured. There was an air of betrayal between Saber and this lord. It all happened so fast he had no time to repent or beg forgiveness.\nThe bounty had been promised and received, the daughter was under lock and key and Saber was imprisoned. When preists for this new regime arrived in Kongren and demanded the lord and his people bend the knee. With all the support they had no-one with any sense would deny them. It only took a few days for them to involve themselves in every part of Kongrens leadership and once there it wasn't at all very hard to discover what had transpired. The lords daughter impregnated by a knight. A magicker. A witch. It was the perfect opportunity for them to demonstrate power to the people of Kongren. It was there that Saber was labeled for execution and it was met with such public outrage. The Keshen preists didn't listen to any objections though; Saber was carted out to the main market square of Kongren, the square was guarded by an entire squadron of soldiers and the event was attended by hundreds if not thousands of the peasantry. His ending was a violent and public affair, he wouldn't go into detail on how exactly he died but the historical accounts, while various from person to person, the methods were many and painful. It was a bloody time in history and Media could think of a few different, more popular, things that were probably done to him.\n\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Media sat on the edge of the bed as she straightened her shirt. Saber was already dressed and he had a bit of a bounce to his step as he did the same from across the room. She went to pull on some pants when she sighed though she was far from embarrassed, "Were it not for the fact that you were a knight I'd think you'd have had some ulterior motive to wanting to sleep with me."
"Fortunately for you I am a knight and my intentions were honest. It was the best and fastest way to restore my own stores of mana." Saber replied inspecting himself in the full body mirror standing against the wall beside the bathroom. "I rather like the attire of this time period" he turned and examined his form from that view before turning again and looking over his shoulder. "Its lighter and easier to move in than the clothing of my time and it is certainly better than bulky armor."
"Don't change the topic" she scoffed as she watched him. He looked at her, his red eyes going over her form as she got to her feet and opened a dresser drawer to dig out some socks. They were... She... was a little late in waking up today; her night with Saber, while enjoyable, exhausted her more than she expected and put them behind by couple or hours. She was only just getting into the swing of being a Master. Her enemies weren't just lazing about. "How do you feel?"
"Much better. I'm not at full strength yet but I am far better now than I have been for the duration of this contest thus far. I have a feeling I can act as a proper servant for you now, my Master." She nodded as she fit her three tails into her jeans and then slipped on a beige cashmere sweater over her top. She then went into the bathroom to make up her dark brown hair. "So, we still plan to meet with Archer and his master today?"
"Yes, I do." She knew he was going to try and talk her out of it but her mind was made up. The Market Day Fair was going to be crowded, nobody in their right mind would commence an attack there, not in front of so many people, not if they wished to obey the laws of the church and of the Holy Grail War. From a defensive standpoint it was a bad idea, they could very well be walking into a trap; going right where their enemy wanted them where they could do any number of things to her and her servant. When he voiced such objections she quickly rebutted with "and what if they show up?"
That silenced him quickly and he fell into a brooding quiet as he pondered his own thoughts. If they did show up then it would look bad for her and her servant. She needed allies and if one of the other master wanted to sit down and work out some sort of agreement with her then she wanted to take the opportunity. She explained that to him, this time it was his turn to jab at her; "what if you're wrong?"
She hesitated but answered firmly "then I made a mistake and I'll accept the consequences whatever they may be."
He grimaced at the implications her words had. She was a gambler, there was every possibility Archer's master wanted her dead and was using this as a ploy to draw her out but neither of them would ever know if they didn't try. And if she was wrong they'd both wind up dead, that was the cost of being wrong. No retries. No do-overs. Everything from here on out was for keeps. Saber didn't like it at all but if his master was willing to take the risk he'd support her.  "I hope you're right."
"So do I."


The Fair plaza was packed. The sound of music filled the streets as did the scent of fried foods and the chatter of people. Kits, pups and cubs ran to and fro as their parents tried to keep up while trying to maintain the conversation with the person next to them. Older teen girls squealed and giggled as they browsed the outfits on display or scooped up a moderately sized stuffed animal and hugged it tight as their male counterparts frowned, laughed or argued. Media smiled an inward smile as she passed such things, she wasn't so old as to miss these sorts things but she didn't have time for it either. Not now.
Actually she was rather nervous. She wasn't the sort to take things slow when she was running late. In her haste she had actually arrived a little early. The letter instructed her to wait around the fountain at the heart of the plaza and the predetermined time came and went with no Archer to be found. After that the time just ticked by as she was slowly filled with dread. She was beginning to think Saber was right after all and Archer was some distance away trying to find a good way to eliminate her. She looked around warily hoping she just might catch a glimpse of him approaching.
Saber was hanging out around one of the fried food stands toward the perimeter of the plaza. With his mane slicked back the lion looked like a totally different person. He wore a pair of of faded blue jeans and a dark blazer with wool lining. He leaned against a far wall also scanning the crowd for Archer and his master.
Media wore a similar pair of blue jeans and the sweater but the hours faded by and she hated the wait. She was obviously nervous now, she got up and paced the little court around the fountain a few times as she waited. Noon arrived and went out the door in due time with still no sign of another servant. She wound up being there for about six hours and it was wearing on her as others started to note her nervous behavior;
Ma'am, are you okay? Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern.
Ma'am is something wrong? No, just waiting on someone.
Is there anything I can do for you, miss? No, I'm just waiting and the other guy is late.
She smiled, she was courteous, she gave every respect but she put up with it while she had to. It was close to four in the evening when she decided enough was enough. She rounded the fountain one last time and noted that Saber wasn't where she left him. Dread filled her, she checked on him constantly as she paced around the fountain, she'd only just saw him less than a minute ago. Oh no.
"Master of Saber."
The voice came from behind her and she snapped around; it was Archer. The Komodo Dragon was also dressed for the chill in the air wearing jeans and a sweater looking a but more casual than she and Saber. "Archer."
"Well, you called this meeting. Forgive mine and my masters tardiness" he said with a bow. "We feared a trap and it seems to have put your nerves on end."
"Where is your master?"
"We decided this place was too exposed; my master has selected a cafe nearby as a better meeting place."
"Wait, hold on. You said I called this meeting?" Media asked, more than a little surprised. As far she knew the letter was addressed to her from Archers master. A third party was involved and that made her especially uneasy. And where was her own servant?
"Didn't you?" The implications were starting to dawn on Archer as he raising his chin a little in questioning.
"No, the letter I received was addressed to me from your master." Her expression said the rest and he looked to his side before turning sharply. Saber was standing there behind him.
Archer merely brushed him off, giving him an acknowledging nod and nothing else before returning his gaze to Media. He was obviously put off, somebody had set them up and none of them knew who or why. "Something is wrong here, my master urges you to either come with me to where she is or go your own way. We've come this far, may as well not waste the opportunity."
"Wait, if not you then who summoned us here?" Saber interjected. "What was the point of all of this?"
"We wanted to see how you would react to one another" said a newcomer making the three of them look in his direction. This one was a pure blooded dragon; tall with a short snout and two lengthy horns sprouting from the back of his head. He had no wings but well manicured claws and a solid, well built frame. He wore more formal attire; black dress pants with a black blazer and a white button-up shirt beneath.
"You?" Snapped Archer.
"And who are you?" The question came from Saber as fast as each of their glances.
"I am Sanguine Altar and I have been summoned into this race under the Assassin classification." He said with his own bow. "I am the one who called this meeting in the hopes that the confusion would ultimately end in either of you eliminating each other... to save us the trouble in the long run, as it were."


The nearby mall proved to be an excellent vantage point. Caster was on the roof looking down on the fountain from behind the guard rail. The mall had a floor plan on the roof as well to match the interior and the stalls were twice as crowded. Sunset was in the onset and more people were actually showing up rather than going home for the evening. The Fair management had promised a firework show and people were hoping to get a good seat. That made him fit in perfectly as he looked out over the city.
Saber, Archer and Assassin along with each of their masters all in the same area and within the Maw's effect radius. This could be both a blessing and a curse, once his Noble Phantasm was activated it would drain all of the mortals within its effect radius almost immediately and make them all either pass out or die. But with mages present it added an obsticle, they had mana to waste and so it would take longer to drain them. On top of that they could halt the drain his Noble Phantasm had to begin with and they may very well hone in on his location. Caster wasn't nervous but it certainly wasn't ideal, as it stood he was in no position to face other heroic spirits in combat. In his own opinion he wasn't strong enough yet. Certainly he could hold his own against one of the other servants but he'd rather have the overwhelming force the Caster class was known for. It complicated things; he didn't like the idea of a confrontation with the other servants just yet but at the same time it wasn't his call to make. It was the best opportunity to eliminate them... Master, it seems our competitors have also chosen to attend the Fair.
I'm aware, maintain your position. I will work in concert with Berserker and his master to protect you once the scenario begins. Proceed as planned; I give you permission to activate your Noble Phantasm after the fireworks begin. Wait for the first salvo to go off and then begin but do not act until then. We don't want them to be aware of what is happening until its too late.
As you wish, my master. Caster sighed and leaned against the guard rail. Confrontation it is. One of the rules of the Holy Grail War was to not involve outsiders, Leave innocent people to their own devices. By the same token the Caster class was dependent upon mana to have any chance against his fellow servants. The easiest way to secure mana was to drain said outsiders of their lifeforce to supply that mana in the event a masters reserves were insufficient. Its not that his masters reserves of mana were insufficient, its that his Noble Phantasm required extreme amounts of mana to activate. Rather than use his masters or his own stores of mana he would rely on the mortals attending the Fair to activate it. That was the power of the Maw, especially when deployed against another servant; he would draw all of the mana or lifeforce he could out of a specific area and direct all of it at his targets. It was most effective on Lancer and Rider, there was no reason it shouldn't be enough to crush these three. But there was also no reason to take any unnecessary chances.
Darkness descended soon enough and the number of people just multiplied. In the meantime his Vorpal Shadows had been moving into place; servants he had dedicated his own mana to. A paltry dozen in number they ducked and weaved through streets and alleys being able to adopt either the form of a shadow or a more material form that allowed them to be used in combat they were very good scouts and defenders. They scattered in all directions until they reached the end of their leash, his stream of mana that fueled them. Almost a full mile in diameter. That was more than satisfactory. Within that radius there were thousands of people. The benefit of modern society was that it consolidated a broad number of people into a much smaller area than what would have been possible back in his time. If he'd pulled this off his own victory would be assured.
The stage was set... and the first salvo of hummers flew into the air.

"The purpose of this was to narrow down the list of competitors, yes, but that was before Caster killed Lancer, Rider and their masters." Sanguine answered in as diplomatic tone as he could muster. He sat in the booth across from Media, Ariante and their servants. While Saber looked as relaxed as Sanguine Archer kept fidgeting and glaring and asking questions out of suspicion. He might grow quiet for a moment or two but he'd always ask another. It was clear he didn't trust Sanguine and Ariante let him go on. Nodding or shrugging when a question was directed her way.
It had never crossed Media's mind that Ari might have been a master. Her accident at work had been a well performed ruse to hide her command seals from the kitsune. The cogs in her head had been grinding ever since she stepped into the cafe; Ariante had been a tried and true mage since childhood while Media had been brought into it by her former mate and even then when she learned what she might very well be capable of doing she only applied herself to the art of healing. Thats what made her so reputable at work. Ariante had learned less scrupulous arts, arts she had offered to train Media in. Saber made it abundantly clear that only one master and servant would be able to claim the grail, at some point of another she would have to eliminate her best friend and she was having a hard time coming to grips with that fact. It came with grim acceptance though... and she hated that.
"But that was all before Caster killed the both of them. In the end this outcome was for the best; it gives us opportunity to coordinate and deal with the issue that is Caster."
"What makes you think we want to coordinate? Least of all with you?" Media asked before any of the others could.
"Because you came here. What else were you hoping to obtain by coming to this meeting? Each of us needs an ally and the only parties not present are the most dangerous." Clear cut and well defined the facts were on the table and nobody objected. That was exactly why they were here; there was strength in numbers and they each needed to supplement their class with the aid of another. Saber, Archer and Assassin working together? That was a potent combination, especially with all three of them aimed at Caster or Berserker.
Ariante looked from Sanguine to Media, to Saber and then Archer "I still don't see how we can coordinate, Assassin; your master isn't present."
It was then that a woman, and I use the term 'woman' loosely, stepped into the cafe. She was an interesting mix; drakine features, hornless, wingless, white fur, violet eyes, drakine ears and a single line of ridges starting at the base of her skull and ending at the very tip of her narrow tail. Sanguine was the first to address her simply referring to her as "master" while she deferred to him as Assassin. She spoke in barely more than a squeak, hesitant to look at any of the other masters or their servants. It appeared Sanguine was the spine of the pair and he offered his seat to the girl. She was younger than either Media or Ariante, barely out of her teens if she could even boast that much. She was dressed in just as much finery as the others, equally appropriate for the cold weather.
Both of the aformentioned females looked at the dragoness with critical eyes taking in what they could of the Master of Assassin. She gave her name when Ariante asked for it. Vessa. She was nervous and out of her element. Saber seemed to chuckle and when Media prodded him he simply shrugged and said she was well suited to the assassin class, shy and avoidant the assassin class tried to avoid direct conflict and stick to the shadows and use methods such as ambush, deception and trickery to overwhelm their opponents. In light of those facts Media had to agree, she was well suited. She was shy, sitting in the seat across from them rubbing her arm nervously and finally meeting Media's curious stare for the moment before it fell to the table.
The pieces were starting to fall in place; two masters and their servants had been eliminated. All but one servant was known of now and three of them were sitting at the same table. Against Caster and Berserker they had the advantage of numbers while it lasted and now that she was able to speak with her competitors she could glean what she could of their personalities and abilities and come up with a strategy to defeat them later on down the road. It would come to that eventually. She couldn't afford to delude herself to that fact.
Sanguine didn't let things go off topic and immediately brought the conversation back to the matter of the last two masters and servants; Caster and Berserker. While they knew something of the nature of Caster they had no idea who his master was and neither did the pairs see or hear anything from Berserker and their master. That they would address when it became an issue. While they discussed different strategies. While not an effective combat mage she was competant enough to keep the other mages in the room from progging her mind and gleaning the same information. The fact of the matter is that while this meeting was being held to ally against the issue that was Caster, and potentially Berserker, once they were dealt with they were right back to being enemies. Media only had a relative idea of what Ariante was capable of, the same could be said of her in regards to Media and Media still didn't know much about Archer except for the fact that he was an Archer class servant. They'd never fought before so what he was capable of was still a mystery.
And then there was Assassin. This Sanguine Altar. Archer seemed to know him, it was possible that they had met in life and so they would have at least a little knowledge of each others abilities. While they may have known each other neither of them seemed to possess any knowledge of Saber at all. Media took some comfort in the fact that in light of that fact she held the wildcard in the form of Saber.


Saber, Kado Percival, the Child of Light, weilder of the enchanted sword Aktion was born into the Essimian aristocracy, the youngest of three brothers he could have lived a life of comfort and relative luxury. Instead he decided to take up the sword. Adopt the rules of chivalry and become a knight. His father, the proud and arrogant Lucius Percival, tried to steer him away from that path writing it off as beneath him and something that should left to the common masses. Clan Percival  had  aptitude and had a lot of influence and power as a result before the Keshen Inquisition. Kado, however, rejected his fathers urgings and as a result was disowned. Bereft of his title and all the luxuries that accompanied it he was reduced to a simple squire and his life became a struggle.
He lived that way for a number of years before appearing at the side, in the service of, the lord of Kongren. Earning this lords respect and trust he was given land and privelige that rivaled what he had when he still lived within his fathers holdings. It was while in the service to this lord that he became famed for the use of a great sword, Aktion, and two short swords. He was also a confident electromancer which is where the name Child of Light originated. He was charged with upholding the ruling nobles' law and protecting the land he had been given, a duty he held and upheld absolutely. He was notoriously altruistic to a fault even to the point where he suffered personaly from it. Still he remained in the lords good graces for a number of years, he was popular among the people and up until that point he didn't have a single point against him. A life pledged to the edge of a sword and in spite of being disowned by clan Percival the name of Kado Percival was widely known and respected.
It was at this time however that the Keshen empire was making its way around the block. Magickers were being labeled witches and practitioners were being captured, tortured and killed by the thousands on the word of this ruthless new order. They wished to tame the beast that was magic, command it and utilize it in unspeakable ways. The world envisioned by this new empire was cold and hard but they were on the rise and it didn't look like it was coming to an end any time soon. And to top it off once he had such influence in the court of the lord of Kongren he was introduced to this lords daughter. The two took well to each other, they became involved with each other, but when asked the lord denied his request to marry though he wasn't aware of the extent to how well they knew each other. His decision was based on the politics of the time and with this knew regime so struck out against magickers Kado simply wasn't a good match for his daughter.
The details are convoluted and obsure but after a couple years the daughter came down pregnant. Pregnant, unmarried and daughter to a high lord of the Essimian aristocracy, this had never happened within that family line before. It put her at odds with her father and made the predicament awkward. Bastard children weren't uncommon among the nobility but not in this family. With the politics of the era and the family pride on the line the circumstances weren't in the couples favor. After the lord discovered his daughters pregnancy he was outraged and demanded she tell him who the father was. This she refused to do and so he put out a bounty for the head of whoever had put him and his daughter in this situation. Frightened and fearing for the father of her child she fled to Kado and desperately wanted to leave so that he and their baby would be safe. Saber had told Media in the library "she shouldn't have done that. By denying him she provoked my lords wrath, had she just told him in the first place it might not have ended up so badly." Saber, Kado Percival, had enough influence within the lords court to plead for amnesty, steps could have been taken, arrangements could have been made to request the child be taken care of. Instead he was now a wanted man and while trying to make hurried plans of fleeing the province they were discovered. He was captured. There was an air of betrayal between Saber and this lord. It all happened so fast he had no time to repent or beg forgiveness.
The bounty had been promised and received, the daughter was under lock and key and Saber was imprisoned. When preists for this new regime arrived in Kongren and demanded the lord and his people bend the knee. With all the support they had no-one with any sense would deny them. It only took a few days for them to involve themselves in every part of Kongrens leadership and once there it wasn't at all very hard to discover what had transpired. The lords daughter impregnated by a knight. A magicker. A witch. It was the perfect opportunity for them to demonstrate power to the people of Kongren. It was there that Saber was labeled for execution and it was met with such public outrage. The Keshen preists didn't listen to any objections though; Saber was carted out to the main market square of Kongren, the square was guarded by an entire squadron of soldiers and the event was attended by hundreds if not thousands of the peasantry. His ending was a violent and public affair, he wouldn't go into detail on how exactly he died but the historical accounts, while various from person to person, the methods were many and painful. It was a bloody time in history and Media could think of a few different, more popular, things that were probably done to him.


", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Fate/Spoof", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "text/plain", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "3", "name": "Violence", "description": "Mild violence", "rating_id": "1" }, { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "109" }